A man has been jailed for a total of seven years after he was convicted of drug supply offences in Slough.

David Winton, aged 44, of Trelawney Avenue, Slough pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (heroin) and one count of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (crack cocaine) in a hearing at Reading Crown Court on April 24.

Between 4pm and 4.30pm on December 4 2019, Winton failed to stop for police in Upton Court Road in Slough after being seen driving erratically.

Following a brief pursuit, officers from the Joint Operations Unit for Roads Policing made contact with Winton’s car to safely end the pursuit, and an officer observed Winton placing items into his mouth.

Winton was arrested at the scene and following a search of his home address, a quantity of class A drugs were located.

Winton was taken to custody and charged with two offences.

Due to the suspicion that he had swallowed further drugs upon arrest, a warrant was granted to hold Winton in police custody for a further 12 days until he eventually passed the drugs, which were confirmed to be class A heroin and crack cocaine.

Winton was remanded in custody on December 18 and appeared at Reading Crown Court last Friday where he pleaded guilty and was sentenced at the same hearing.

Designated investigator Pauline Carrie of the Priority Crime Team based at Slough police station, said: “I am pleased that Winton has been given a significant custodial sentence for these offences.

“Winton is a prolific offender and the sentence will ensure that he is not able to supply drugs on the streets of Slough, causing harm in our community.

“Winton showed a complete disregard for his own safety by swallowing packages of drugs, which is a highly dangerous act and could have resulted in causing him serious harm or even death.

“He had to remain on constant watch in a police station for 12 days until he had passed the drugs, and the courts have now dealt with him accordingly.

“Through our Stronghold campaign Thames Valley Police will continue to work in partnership to tackle serious organised crime and to stop those who seek to exploit vulnerable people for their own means.

“Also, our True Costs campaign aims to highlight the real impact of drug offences on the most vulnerable in our communities.

“Children as young as seven in the UK have been groomed in to the world of drugs and we are exploring what the real harm is in taking a little cocaine.

“You can find out more on our website (https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/police-forces/thames-valley-police/areas/c/true-costs/) and get involved in the conversation using #TrueCosts.”